A Pennsylvania mother and grandmother have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after admitting their roles in the prolonged abuse of an 11-year-old girl who investigators said was beaten, restrained to a bed, starved, and forced to eat cat food inside the family home.
The sentences were handed down on Wednesday following guilty pleas in a case that prosecutors described as one of extreme cruelty.
Mother Sentenced to 10 to 40 Years
The child’s mother, Amanda Gregorio, was sentenced to 10 to 40 years in state prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, false imprisonment, unlawful restraint, and conspiracy to endanger the welfare of a child.
The girl’s grandmother, Stacey Louder, received a sentence of eight to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, and conspiracy to endanger the welfare of a child.
Both women were credited with approximately 450 days of time already served.
Medical Emergency Sparked Investigation
The abuse was uncovered in August 2024, when emergency responders were called to the family’s home in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, after the 11-year-old suffered seizure-like symptoms.
According to investigators, Gregorio admitted to giving the child 50 milligrams of Benadryl and 60 milligrams of melatonin before the medical emergency. Hospital staff reported the circumstances to authorities, leading to a criminal investigation.
Child Allegedly Endured Months of Abuse
As detectives investigated, they uncovered what prosecutors described as months of severe abuse.
Authorities said the girl weighed only 50 pounds when she was examined.
According to investigators, the child reported being restrained to her bed for extended periods, leaving her unable to leave the room. She told authorities she was forced to urinate and defecate while tied down.
Police also discovered that surveillance cameras had allegedly been installed in her bedroom to monitor her and prevent her from escaping.
Investigators further alleged that Gregorio admitted to feeding her daughter cat food during the abuse and told a witness that she restrained the child because Louder was directing her to do so.
Prosecutors Call Home a ‘House of Horrors’
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said the defendants turned what should have been a safe home into a place of repeated abuse.
He praised the court’s decision, saying the sentences reflected the seriousness of the crimes and acknowledged the lasting trauma suffered by the child.
Surveillance Photos Shown During Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors introduced surveillance photographs showing Gregorio sitting beside the child while she was restrained to her bed.
Luzerne County Detective George Keifer testified that the investigation was among the most disturbing cases he had encountered in his law enforcement career.
Child Asked Court to Keep Defendants in Prison
The victim’s statement was read aloud in court by prosecutors.
The girl told the court she wanted both women to remain in prison and suffer for what they had done. She also said she no longer cared if her words made them angry because they had caused her tremendous pain and sadness.
Prosecutors Sought Maximum Punishment
Prosecutors urged the judge to impose the maximum sentences, describing Gregorio and Louder as “absolute monsters” who treated the child worse than a caged animal.
They argued the abuse was prolonged, deliberate, and carried out by the very people responsible for protecting her.
Judge Describes Case as ‘Extreme Cruelty’
Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas called the case one of extreme cruelty before handing down the prison sentences.
The judge said it was difficult to understand how a mother and grandmother could inflict such suffering on their own family member, adding that it was hard to fathom such cruel treatment toward one’s own flesh and blood.
Child Recovering After Removal From Home
Authorities said the girl has since been removed from the abusive environment and is now receiving trauma therapy.
A Luzerne County Children and Youth caseworker testified that she has made remarkable progress since entering care, saying the child has improved significantly during her recovery.
With Wednesday’s sentencing, both Amanda Gregorio and Stacey Louder will remain incarcerated as they serve lengthy prison terms for their roles in the abuse of the 11-year-old girl.
